Increase in volume stability of RO phases in steel slag by combined treatment of alkali and dry carbonation

Abstract

RO phases account for 8.5–16.9 wt% of steel slags and exhibit delayed hydration activity, which may result in poor volume stability of steel slags (SS). Treatment of alkali activator (sodium silicate) followed by dry carbonation technology (ADC) was conducted on synthetic RO phases with various molar ratios of FeO, MgO, and MnO to promote its early hydration activity. Results show that 28 d compressive strength of mortar added by ADC_SS is 19.67% higher than that of added untreated SS and 26% decrease in expansion rate. Hydration degree of RO phases increases obviously during alkali treatment from 10.6% to 21.7% (RO-6), and is further stimulated by subsequently carbonation (reaching 44.1%), both resulting in much consumption of expansive component (i.e., MgO) in RO phases. The early hydration activity of cement promoted by adding ADC_RO phase/SS, which mainly attributes to the nucleation effect of hydration and carbonation products (i.e., Mg(OH)2, pyoaurite, and MgCO3·3H2O). The alkali excitation reaction of silica gels produced during carbonation as well as the formation of monocarboaluminate further contribute to the strength gain. ADC_SS used as admixture for cement makes pastes have advantage of higher strength, higher hydration rate, lower heat release, and less expansion rate compared to the system contained untreated SS. ADC may be a potential method to treat SS and makes SS to be used as admixture for Portland cement.